Most unaware 'better fats' cut heart risk

DALLAS, July 24 (UPI) -- Fewer than half of U.S adults know monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, or "better fats," can help reduce their risk of heart disease, a survey indicates.

The survey by the American Heart Association shows that 72 percent of Americans understand that consuming saturated fats increases the risk of heart disease and 68 percent of Americans understand that consuming trans fats increases the risk.

Monounsaturated fats can be found in olive oil and many nuts and seeds like almonds, peanuts and sesame seeds. Peanut butter and avocados are also good sources of monounsaturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fats can be found in oils like soybean and corn oils and in many nuts and seeds such as walnuts and sunflower seeds. Fatty fish like salmon and trout are also good sources of polyunsaturated fats.

However, all fats have the same number of calories -- 9 per gram, compared to the 4 calories per gram found in proteins and carbohydrates -- but "better fats" are good only in moderation.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by Cogent Research has a margin of error of plus/minus 3.1 percentage points.